W

Wagner-Whitin Algorithm:

A dynamic programming lot sizing model that evaluates multiple alternatives that consider period demand and production, holding, and setup costs to produce an optimal lot size that varies for each period as required. Also see: Discrete Order Quantity, Dynamic Lot Sizing

Wall-to-Wall Inventory:

An inventory control technique where all inventory locations within the warehouse are counted at one time as opposed to doing a cycle count of smaller groups.

Storage place for products. Principal warehouse activities include receipt of product, storage, shipment, and order picking.

Warehousing:

The storing (holding) of goods.

Warehouse Management System (WMS):

The systems used in effectively managing warehouse business processes and direct warehouse activities, including receiving, putaway, picking, shipping, and inventory cycle counts. Also includes support of radio-frequency communications, allowing real-time data transfer between the system and warehouse personnel. They also maximize space and minimize material handling by automating putaway processes.

Warranty:

An obligation or guarantee that a product or service sold is as factually stated or legally implied by the seller. Oftentimes, warranties provide a specific remedy, such as repair or replacement, in the event the product or service fails to meet the warranty.

Warranty Costs:

Includes materials, labor, and problem diagnosis for products returned for repair or refurbishment.

Waste:

1)Any activity or process that does not add value to the goods or services required by the customer. Examples of waste include move time, counting inventory, inspection, the production of defective material, rework, etc. Waste is considered to cause increased cost, lead time and quality problems while not adding value, and may be created by vendors, personnel, equipment, incorrect process parameters and many other factors. See: Mura

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE):

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment is a loose category of surplus, obsolete, broken, or discarded electrical or electronic devices. The processing of electronic waste in developing countries causes serious health and pollution problems due to lack of containment, as do unprotected landfills (due to leaching) and incineration. The Basel Convention and regulation by the European Union and individual United States aim to reduce these problems. Reuse and computer recycling are promoted as alternatives to disposal as trash.

Waterway Use Tax:

A per-gallon tax assessed barge carriers for use of the waterways.

Wave Picking:

A variation on zone picking where rather than orders moving from one zone to the next for picking, all zones are picked at the same time and the items are later sorted and consolidated into individual orders/shipments. Wave picking is the quickest method for picking multi item orders however the sorting and consolidation process can be tricky. Picking waves are often designed to isolate shipments to specific carriers, routes, etc. See: also batch picking, zone picking. A more general definition of wave picking would simply be a method where a group of orders is released to the warehouse for picking and the next group (wave) is not released until the first wave has processed through the pick area. Also see: Batch Picking, Zone Picking

Waybill:

Document containing description of goods that are part of common carrier freight shipment. Show origin, destination, consignee/consignor, and amount charged. Copies travel with goods and are retained by originating/delivering agents. Used by carrier for internal record and control, especially during transit. Not a transportation contract.

A computer term used to describe the global Internet. Synonym: World Wide Web

Web 2.0:

These technologies, which rely on user collaboration, include Web services, peer-to-peer networking, blogs, podcasts, and online social networks

Web Browser:

A client application that fetches and displays web pages and other World Wide Web resources to the user.

Web Services:

A computer term for information processing services that are delivered by third parties using internet portals. Standardized technology communications protocols; network services as collections of communication formats or endpoints capable of exchanging messages.

The shipment volume at which the LTL charges equal the TL charges at the minimum weight.

Weight Confirmation:

The practice of confirming or validating receipts or shipments based on the weight.

Weight-Losing Raw Material:

A raw material that loses weight in processing

Weighted-Point Plan:

A method of analyzing a group of candidates (employees, suppliers, etc.) using a rating approach that gathers data and assigns weights to each evaluation category. A weighted sum for each candidate is obtained and a comparison made. The weights used should sum to 100% for all. Also see: Categorical Plan

What If Scenarios:

A method to determine the effect different costs or investments have on profit and other financial indicators. Examples of cost or investments that would be evaluated are financial effects of different pricing models, warehousing options, number of employees or raw materials options.

What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG):

An editing interface in which a file created is displayed as it will appear to an end-user.

A computer network that covers a broad area (i.e., any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries. The largest and most well-known example of a WAN is the Internet.

Wikis:

Web based services such as those found in Wikipedia. Wikis are systems for collaborative publishing which allow many authors to contribute to an online document or discussion.

Will Call:

The practice of taking orders that will be picked up at the selling facility by the buyer. An area where buyers can pick up an order at the selling facility. This practice is widely used in the service parts business.

A complete line by line breakdown of the products, services, and activities that will be required to fulfill a contractual obligation.

Work-in-Process (WIP):

Parts and subassemblies in the process of becoming completed finished goods. Work in process generally includes all of the material, labor and overhead charged against a production order which has not been absorbed back into inventory through receipt of completed products.

Work Sequence:

The defined steps and activities that must be performed in order for the work to be accomplished.

World Trade Organization (WTO):

An organization established on January 1, 1995 replacing the previous General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade GATT that forms the cornerstone of the world trading system.

World Wide Web (WWW):

A "multimedia hyper linked database that spans the globe" and lets you browse through lots of interesting information. Unlike earlier Internet services, the 'Web' combines text, pictures, sounds, and even animations, and it lets you move around with a click of your computer mouse.